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Trails in Indiana

Keewasakee trail-Farm Heritage Trail-Thorntown

The Thorntown Keewasakee Trail is located in the heart of Boone County, originally named after Daniel Boone. In the late 1800’s the area was described as boggy and swampy at one time but had been drained for agricultural use. It is mostly glacial deposits. The trail is where the old Cleveland, Cincinnati, and St. Louis Rail Line used to be, or more commonly known as the “Big 4”. (C.C.C. and St. Louis, or New York Central Rail Line) On this linear trail rail road ties can still be seen on the sides of the trail. Thorntown is an area where French Traders and Native Americans first settled. Quaint houses and majestic old trees can be found in this quiet, calm small town.

Thorntown is a small community offering shops, restaurants, the Thorntown Heritage Museum, Tom Johnson Memorial Park, and the Sugar Creek Art Center. In September is celebrated the Festival of the Turning Leaves. Thorntown is located approximately half way between Indianapolis and Lafayette. The trail is to extend South to Lebanon and North to Colfax. One day, it may extend all the way North to Lafayette and South to Indianapolis, as the Farm Heritage Trail. It is presently considered part of this trail.

The main Trail Head for the Keewasakee is located at Pearl and Church Streets where parking is available. There is an attractive garden plot and a large Trail Head sign. The trail heads North following the rolling Sugar Creek Valley, to the massive Sugar Creek bridge, and South to Serum Plant Road, where a large , historic steel bridge is to be placed. The trail heading North is 1 mile paved and then harrows to a natural surface after the Sugar Creek bridge. The paved portion can be used by hikers, bikers, rollerbladers, and all other uses except motorized traffic. The South portion is approximately ½ mile and is also paved for all uses.

The Keewasaki trail is a good example of part urban and part rural. Starting downtown, this trail is then lined with native and rare wildlife such as sage and cattail. It passes a pond and has a small trail down to the Sugar Creek River. North of Sugar Creek, the unpaved portion, is surrounded by farm land. Beautiful views can be seen from the Sugar Creek bridge. At both ends of the trail can be found park benches, a bike rack, and trash bins.

Come see all that the Keewasaki Trail and Thorntown has to offer and experience a part of history in the making!

Lions Park , just north of E. Main St. and N. Pearl St. - Thorntown Indiana

Near to US highways:

From Interstate 65, or State Highway 52, north of Lebanon, Indiana take State Highway 47 westward 5 miles (from I-65), or 2 miles (from SR52) to Thorntown. State Highway 47 becomes Main Street in Thorntown.
Pearl Street is the second street to the north of Main Street, from the east side of town. Lions Park, with its picnic tables, runs along Pearl Street.